Secondrow shock change flagged in heavily rumoured Irish team to play France

The Irish media have predicted that the Leinster secondrow James Ryan will start alongside Iain Henderson against France in Paris on Saturday.

Both the Irish Times and 42.ie have issued the same fifteen, which includes the surprise inclusion of Ryan in the starting line-up. His inclusion will come at a cost to longtime Ireland stalwart Devin Toner.

15. Rob Kearney

14. Keith Earls

13. Robbie Henshaw

12. Bundee Aki

11. Jacob Stockdale

10. Johnny Sexton

9. Conor Murray

1. Cian Healy

2. Rory Best (captain)

3. Tadhg Furlong

4. James Ryan

5. Iain Henderson

6. Peter O’Mahony

7. Josh van der Flier

8. CJ Stander

Ryan rise within Irish Rugby has been swift. The 6'8, 108kg lock has made just 10 appearances for Leinster, the vast majority coming this season.

A product of St Michael's, the lock featured in Ireland's November Tests, winning four caps.

The team will announced later today at the squad training facility at Carton House.